Orano has announced the suspension of operations at its Arlit uranium mine in northern Niger, effective October 31. This decision comes as the company cites deteriorating financial conditions at its subsidiary, Somaïr, which operates the mine and is 63.4% owned by Orano, with the remainder held by the Nigerien state-owned Sopamin.
The closure of the main export corridor between Niger and Benin has left approximately 1,050 tonnes of uranium concentrate from the 2023 and 2024 stockpiles stranded, representing an estimated value of €300 million—nearly half of the mine’s average annual production capacity. Orano has explored various avenues to resume exports, including proposals to airlift uranium through Namibia, but reported that “none of the proposals made to the Nigerien authorities have received responses.”
While the company refers to the suspension as a “temporary measure,” it has expressed concerns about the impact on Somaïr’s workforce. The Arlit site employs about 780 workers, alongside an equal number of subcontractors, 99% of whom are Nigerien nationals. Workers will continue to receive salaries until December 31, 2024.
This suspension occurs amid rising tensions between France and Niger. Following a military coup in July 2023, the government expelled French troops who had been stationed in the country. In June, the authorities also withdrew Orano’s operating license for the Imouraren mine, one of the world’s largest uranium deposits, leading to a significant loss of €133 million in the first half of the year.
Additionally, Niger’s Council of Ministers recently announced the establishment of the Timersoi National Uranium Company (TNUC), although the specifics of its role have not yet been clarified.
Orano, which has been active in Niger since 1971, still owns three mines in the country, but Somaïr was the last one in active production. Despite the ongoing challenges, the company has assured stakeholders that it has secured alternative uranium supplies from sources in Canada and Kazakhstan. EDF, the French energy company, which relies on 8,000 tonnes of uranium annually to operate its 56 nuclear reactors, is not expected to face any shortages.
